Stop Worshipping the Roadmap: Start Building Real Relationships

Product Agility

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In this episode of the Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard challenges one of the most pervasive and damaging habits in product organisations: treating roadmaps like contracts.

Ben explores why our obsession with polished timelines and rigid plans can undermine trust, limit learning, and stall product progress — and offers a radical reframe: what if your roadmap isn’t a document, but a relationship?

Drawing on insights from David Pereira and his own coaching experience, Ben walks through a mindset shift that can transform how product teams engage with stakeholders and make strategic decisions — moving from certainty and control to curiosity and collaboration.

Topics include:

• Why “the roadmap is not the strategy” — and why confusing the two causes real harm
• How treating roadmaps as delivery plans masks uncertainty and stalls learning
• The hidden danger of optimising for artefacts over alignment
• Why tough conversations matter more than tidy timelines
• Reframing the roadmap as a tool for dialogue, not defence
• Practical tests to reveal if your roadmap mindset needs a reset
• Three powerful ways to evolve your roadmap this month — with real impact

Whether you’re a product leader trying to engage stakeholders, an agile coach tired of delivery theatre, or simply someone who wants to work smarter — not just faster — this episode will get you rethinking your roadmap from the ground up.

Host Bio

Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes.
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Ben Maynard

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Product Agility Podcast

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• Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56
• iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p

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